Training ball

ABSTRACT

A training ball includes a ball body having an overall outer ball surface, and two first and second ball halves which cooperatively define the overall outer ball surface and which are divided by a first imaginary plane that substantially passes through a center of the ball body. At least one of the first and second ball halves has an indented surface region extending inwardly of the overall outer ball surface, and a grip unit which spans the indented surface region. The grip unit has an inner grip surface facing and spaced apart from the indented surface region, and an outer grip surface opposite to the inner grip surface and forming a part of the overall outer ball surface. The inner grip surface and the indented surface region define therebetween a space adapted for extension of fingers of hands thereinto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a training device, more particularly to a training ball.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional training ball has a roughened outer surface, and can only provide limited exercise options to a user.

An exercise apparatus, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0048724 A1, includes a ball body, and two grip members disposed respectively on two opposite sides of the ball body to facilitate grasping of the ball body by the user so that he/she can perform different exercises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a training ball that can accommodate different exercise requirements of a user and that can allow for stable grasping by the user during exercise.

According to this invention, a training ball comprises a ball body including an overall outer ball surface, and two first and second ball halves which cooperatively define the overall outer ball surface and which are divided by a first imaginary plane that substantially passes through a center of the ball body. At least one of the first and second ball halves has an indented surface region extending inwardly of the overall outer ball surface, and a grip unit which spans the indented surface region. The grip unit has an inner grip surface facing and spaced apart from the indented surface region, and an outer grip surface opposite to the inner grip surface and forming a part of the overall outer ball surface. The inner grip surface and the indented surface region define therebetween a space adapted for extension of fingers of hands thereinto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a training ball according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partly sectional view of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating how a grip unit is fastened to a ball body;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the first preferred embodiment in a state of use;

FIG. 5 illustrates another state of use of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a training ball according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of a training ball according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a training ball according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates the fourth preferred embodiment in a state of use;

FIG. 10 is a partly exploded perspective view of the fifth preferred embodiment of a training ball according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the fifth preferred embodiment in an assembled state; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the sixth preferred embodiment of a training ball according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the first preferred embodiment of a training ball according to the present invention is shown to comprise a ball body 10 having a first imaginary plane (I) that substantially passes through a central point (O) of the ball body 10 so as to divide the ball body 10 into first and second ball halves 11, 12. The ball body 10 may be composed of three layers, i.e., an inner layer, a fabric layer, and an outer layer, or may just be a single layer. An overall outer ball surface of the ball body 10 may have a rounded shape, or may have a shape resembling a pear, an olive, etc. In this embodiment, the overall outer ball surface of the ball body 10 has a rounded shape. The ball body 10 is resilient, and may be filled with air or a weighing material, such as water or sand. The ball body 10 may or may not be provided with an inflatable valve. When no valve is provided, air may be filled in the ball body 10 during the forming process of the ball body 10 so that inflating of the ball body 10 is unnecessary. In addition to using water or sand as a weighing material, the ball body 10 may be weighed by increasing the thickness of the ball body 10.

The first and second ball halves 11, 12 cooperatively define the overall outer ball surface of the ball body 10. Each of the first and second ball halves 11, 12 has an indented surface region 112, 122 extending inwardly of the overall outer ball surface of the ball body 10, a plurality of spaced-apart screw seats 13 provided on two opposite ends of the corresponding indented surface region 112, 122, and a grip unit 20 which spans the corresponding indented surface region 112, 122 and which is screwed fixedly to the screw seats 13 of the corresponding indented surface region 112, 122. However, if self-tapping screws are used, the screw seats 13 may be dispensed with.

Since the structures of the grip units 20 of the first and second ball halves 11, 12 are similar, only the structure of the grip unit 20 of the first ball half 11 will be detailed hereinafter.

The grip unit 20 has two grip sections 21 that are formed integrally as one curved grip plate 210. The curved grip plate 210 has an inner grip surface 214 facing and spaced apart from the indented surface region 112, and an outer grip surface 213 opposite to the inner grip surface 214 and forming a part of the overall outer ball surface of the ball body 10. The inner grip surface 214 and the indented surface region 112 define therebetween a space 111 into which fingers of the user's hands may extend. The curved grip plate 210 further has two opposite free end portions 219 spanning the indented surface region 112 and formed respectively with butt edges 216 to serve as the grip sections 21, two connecting end portions 212 screwed fixedly to the screw seats 13 of the first ball half 11, and an intermediate section 211 between the connecting end portions 212. The intermediate section 211 includes: two pairs of spaced-apart finger recesses 215 formed in the outer grip surface 213; two spaced-apart slots 217 formed between the finger recesses 215 and between the butt edges 216, and extending through the inner and outer grip surfaces 214, 213; and a handle part 218 formed between the slots 217.

In this embodiment, the grip unit 20 of each of the first and second ball halves 11, 12 and the ball body 10 are formed as separate pieces. The grip unit 20 may be made of a rigid material.

A display unit 30 is provided on the intermediate section 211 of the grip unit 20 for displaying the time, the pulse rate, the number of times an exercise has been performed, and the number of calories consumed during exercise.

Referring to FIG. 4, using both hands (only one is visible), the user grasps the grip unit 20 of the first ball half 11 such that his or her thumbs are positioned on one of the pairs of the finger recesses 215, and his or her remaining four fingers of each hand extend into the space 111 and grip tightly onto the corresponding butt edges 216. When both arms of the user are moved sideways so as to simulate swinging a putter while playing golf, training of the arms can be achieved.

Referring to FIG. 5, in this exercise, although the four fingers of each hand are still positioned within the space 111 and grip the corresponding butt edges 216, the thumbs of the hands (only one hand of the user is shown) extend over the grip unit 20 and press tightly against the overall outer ball surface of the ball body 10. Because the point of applied force and the location of the center of gravity of the training ball are changed, the user may perform a larger waist-twisting movement in this exercise to thereby simulate swinging of, for example, a driver.

With reference to FIG. 1, when the user uses one hand to grasp the handle part 218, the user can perform an exercise simulating lifting of a dumbbell. When the user grasps both of the handle parts 218 (one in each hand) of the grip units 20 of the first and second ball halves 11, 12, the user can perform push-ups.

Referring to FIG. 6, the second preferred embodiment of a training ball according to the present invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the grip sections 21′ of the grip unit 20′ of each of the first and second ball halves (only the first ball half 11′ is visible) are formed as separate plates 210′ which span the corresponding indented surface region 112, 122 (see FIG. 2) and which are screwed fixedly to the overall outer ball surface of the ball body 10′. The grip sections 21′ form therebetween a through hole 22′. The exercises mentioned in relation to the first preferred embodiment can also be performed using the second preferred embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the third preferred embodiment of a training ball according to the present invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the grip unit 20″ of each of the first and second ball halves 11, 12 (see FIG. 2) and the ball body 10″ are formed integrally as one piece. The grip unit 20″ has two spaced-apart curved strips 210″ that form the grip sections 21″, respectively, and that confine therebetween a through hole 22″. The exercises mentioned in relation to the first preferred embodiment can also be performed using the third preferred embodiment.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the fourth preferred embodiment of a training ball according to the present invention. As in the first preferred embodiment, the training ball of the present invention includes a ball body (10 a) having a first imaginary plane (I) that substantially passes through the central point (O) of the ball body (10 a) so as to divide the ball body (10 a) into first and second ball halves (11 a, 12 a). However, in this embodiment, only the second ball half (12 a) has an indented surface region (122 a) extending inwardly of the overall outer ball surface of the ball body (10 a). The ball body (10 a) further has first and second color surface portions (A, B) which are divided by a second imaginary plane (II) perpendicular to the first imaginary plane (I), and two auxiliary handles 600 provided respectively on the first and second color surface portions (A, B) and at two diametrically opposite positions of the ball body (10 a). The first and second color surface portions (A, B) respectively have recessed surface regions (A1, B1) which extend inwardly of the overall outer ball surface of the ball body (10 a). Each of the auxiliary handles 600 has a curved handle member 601 spanning one of the recessed surface regions (A1, B1). The grip unit (20 a) has a curved grip plate (210 a) that extends along a direction of a curve formed by an intersection of the overall outer ball surface of the ball body (10 a) and the second imaginary plane (II). The curved grip plate (210 a) has butt edges 216 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) that serve as the grip sections (21 a). The grip sections (21 a) span the indented surface region (122 a). The curved handle member 601 of each auxiliary handle 600 extends along a direction of a curve formed by an intersection of the overall outer ball surface of the ball body (10 a) and a third plane (not shown) that is parallel to the surface of the drawing sheet of FIG. 8, that is perpendicular to both of the first and second imaginary planes (I, II), and that passes through an intersection of the first and second imaginary planes (I, II). The first and second color surface portions (A, B) are differently colored.

As best shown in FIG. 9, when the user's hands respectively grasp the grip sections (21 a), and move the training ball back and forth along a sideways path while simultaneously reversing the positioning of the hands, the first color surface portion (A) changes from facing upward when viewed from above to facing downward, while the second color surface portion (B) undergoes the opposite change. This exercise allows the user to practice accurate hitting of a ball with a golf club.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the fifth preferred embodiment of a training ball according to the present invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the grip unit (20 b) of each of the first and second ball halves (11 b, 12 b) includes a first grip plate (210 b) integrally formed as one piece with the ball body (11 b) and having the inner and outer grip surfaces (214 b, 213 b), and a second grip plate (210 b′) mounted removably on the first grip plate (210 b). The inner grip surface (214 b) and the corresponding indented surface region (112 b, 122 b) (only the indented surface region 112 b is visible) define therebetween a space (111 b). The first grip plate (210 b) spans the indented surface region (112 b), and includes two opposite widened end parts 2101 connected integrally to the ball body (10 b), and a constricted part 2102 between the widened end parts 2101. The second grip plate (210 b′) has a groove (220) formed on an outer surface thereof. The first grip plate (210 b) is inserted fittingly into the groove 220 when the second grip plate (210 b′) is attached to an inner surface of the first grip plate (210 b). The second grip plate (210 b′) is attached to the first grip plate (210 b) by passing a screw 500 through the first grip plate (210 b) and the groove (220) to engage threadedly the second grip plate (210 b′).

Through the detachable configuration of the grip unit (20 b) of each of the first and second ball halves (11 b, 12 b), the user can perform a variety of exercises. For example, when the second grip plate (210 b′) is fastened to the first grip plate (210 b), the user can perform an exercise that simulates hitting of a ball with a golf club or swinging of a golf club. When the second grip plate (210 b′) is removed from the first grip plate (210 b) the user can perform push-ups by grasping the first grip plates (210 b) of the first and second ball halves (11 b, 12 b), or an exercise that simulates lifting of a dumbbell by grasping one of the first grip plates (210 b) of the first and second ball halves (11 b, 12 b).

FIG. 12 illustrates the sixth preferred embodiment of a training ball according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the grip unit (20 c) of each of the first and second ball halves (11 c, 12 c) includes a grip plate (210 c) integrally formed as one piece with the ball body (10 c) and having inner and outer grip surfaces (214 c, 213 c). The grip plate (210 c) and the ball body (10 c) are made of the same material. The grip plate (210 c) has two opposite widened end parts (2101 c) connected integrally to the ball body (10 c), and a constricted part (2102 c) between the widened end parts (2101 c). The width of the constricted part (2102 c) may be about 5-30 cm to allow for both single-hand and double-hand exercises.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A training ball comprising: a ball body including an overall outer ball surface, and two first and second ball halves which cooperatively define said overall outer ball surface and which are divided by a first imaginary plane that substantially passes through a center of said ball body, at least one of said first and second ball halves having an indented surface region extending inwardly of said overall outer ball surface, and a grip unit which spans said indented surface region, said grip unit having an inner grip surface facing and spaced apart from said indented surface region, and an outer grip surface opposite to said inner grip surface and forming a part of said overall outer ball surface, said inner grip surface and said indented surface region defining therebetween a space adapted for extension of fingers of hands thereinto.
 2. The training ball of claim 1, wherein said grip unit has two spaced-apart grip sections adapted to be grasped by two hands, said ball body and said grip unit being formed as separate pieces, said grip sections being formed integrally as one piece.
 3. The training ball of claim 2, wherein said grip unit has a curved grip plate which has said inner and outer grip surfaces, said curved grip plate further including two opposite free end portions spanning said indented surface region, butt edges formed in said free end portions, respectively, and finger recesses formed in said outer grip surface, said butt edges serving as said grip sections.
 4. The training ball of claim 3, wherein said curved grip plate further includes two spaced-apart slots formed between said butt edges and extending through said inner and outer grip surfaces, and a handle part formed between said slots.
 5. The training ball of claim 2, wherein said grip sections of said grip unit are formed as separate plates which span said indented surface region, said grip unit further having a through hole between said separate plates.
 6. The training ball of claim 2, wherein said grip unit and said ball body are formed integrally as one piece, said grip unit having two spaced-apart curved strips that form said grip sections, respectively, and that confine a through hole therebetween.
 7. The training ball of claim 1, wherein said ball body further includes first and second color surface portions which are divided by a second imaginary plane perpendicular to said first imaginary plane, said first and second color surface portions having different colors.
 8. The training ball of claim 7, wherein said ball body further includes two auxiliary handles provided respectively on said first and second color surface portions and at two diametrically opposite positions of said ball body.
 9. The training ball of claim 8, wherein said first and second color surface portions respectively have recessed surface regions which extend inwardly of said overall outer ball surface of said ball body, each of said auxiliary handles having a curved handle member spanning one of said recessed surface regions.
 10. The training ball of claim 9, wherein said grip unit has a curved grip plate that extends along a direction of a curve formed by an intersection of said overall outer ball surface and said second imaginary plane, said curved handle member extending along a direction of a curve formed by an intersection of said overall outer ball surface and a third plane that is perpendicular to both of said first and second imaginary planes and that passes through an intersection of said first and second imaginary planes.
 11. The training ball of claim 1, wherein said overall outer ball surface of said ball body has a rounded shape.
 12. The training ball of claim 1, wherein said overall outer ball surface of said ball body has a shape resembling a pear.
 13. The training ball of claim 1, wherein said overall outer ball surface of said ball body has a shape resembling an olive.
 14. The training ball of claim 1, wherein said grip unit includes a first grip plate integrally formed as one piece with said ball body and having said inner and outer grip surfaces, and a second grip plate mounted removably on said first grip plate.
 15. The training ball of claim 14, wherein said first grip plate spans said indented surface region and includes two opposite widened end parts and a constricted part between said widened end parts, said second grip plate having a groove to receive fittingly said first grip plate when said second grip plate is attached to said first grip plate.
 16. The training ball of claim 1, wherein said grip unit includes a grip plate integrally formed as one piece with said ball body and having said inner and outer grip surfaces, said grip plate having two opposite widened end parts and a constricted part between said widened end parts. 